Job is one of the most read stories in all the world even to this day. You know the story. Job is a very godly man whom God himself speaks highly of. God permits Satan to ravage Job’s life. Once wealthy, he becomes impoverished. He loses everything. Once blessed with ten children, all ten are…
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In Joshua 1:7-9, God instructs Joshua, the new leader of the people of Israel, twice to “be strong and courageous.” They were about to cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land God had promised Abraham centuries earlier. In the middle of this bookend to “be strong and courageous” is the exhortation to…
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A quick fix. Take a pill to lose weight, lower cholesterol, and calm our nerves. We love a quick fix. Sometimes I think we read the Bible looking for a quick fix. “Just read this passage, apply what it says, and you’ll be fine.” I want to make a bold proposal in this little blog…
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When I say “affinity-based small groups” do you know what I mean? In the American church today, we organize many of our small groups around certain “affinities.” It could be “young families” or “20-somethings” or “singles” or “retired couples.” Organizing our groups around that can be helpful. I’m thankful for the newly married small group…
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So I’m reading through Romans and I came across a couple of verses I never really stopped to think about before: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”…
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The anatomy of anxiety & anger In Matthew 6, Jesus links anxiety to the future: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear” (Matthew 6:25). Anxiety is: there’s something you think you need or want, but you’re not sure you’re going to get…
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What we grow up with, we become convinced is normal. One of the great joys and one of the great sadnesses I experience as a pastor is hearing people’s stories. It’s a joy because often they include miracles of God’s saving, redemptive, and restorative power. It’s a sadness because before the salvation, redemption, and restoration…
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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 Imagine going on a hike through the forest and getting lost. What was supposed to be a 2-hour…
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When someone chooses to play the “judge card” it’s like playing the ace of spades. It trumps everything else. It puts people on their heels. Because the “judge card” is what it is today, there are a variety of subjects that seem to be untouchable. The result? There is a fear of being labeled “judgy”…
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Jesus said the two greatest commands are: to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Our best energy should be used in the pursuit of these two commands. I want to take a moment to offer one reflection on how to do that. Take a…
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